Picture © Credits to istock/Vivek_Renukaprasad
Picture © Credits to istock/Vivek_Renukaprasad

Uttarakhand


Situated in the northern part of India, in the so-called Himalayan North, Uttarakhand is one of the newest Indian states. Dehradun is the capital city of this state which is split into two parts – Garhwal (western) and Kumaon (eastern)....

Being carved from the Himalayan region of Uttar Pradesh in 2000, the state of Uttarakhand is stunningly beautiful. Magnificent Himalayas, holy rivers, dense forests, skiing slopes, awe-inspiring landscapes – are all highlights of this so-called “Heaven on Earth”. Often referred to as the “Land of Gods”, Uttarakhand is home to some of the holiest Hindu temples and shrines. For more than 1500 years pilgrims have been visiting pilgrimage centers spread throughout this state. In Uttarakhand, also considered as the blessed land, the sources of the Ganges and Yamuna – Gangotri and Yamunotri, together with the towns Badrinath and Kedarnath, create the Chota Char Dham, one of the most important Hindu pilgrimages. On top of its spiritual places, Uttarakhand has 12 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, such as Jim Corbett National park, the oldest one in India. A plethora of outdoor activities is available here – mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking, skiing and even rafting. Rishikesh near Haridwar is India’s yoga capital.